Psychopharmacology: dexmedetomidine for agitation: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Psychopharmacology: dexmedetomidine for agitation

Sample item

A ventilated ICU patient is agitated and delirious, and the team wants sedation that causes little respiratory depression and leaves the patient rousable. Which drug acts through the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor to do this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Dexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist that gives cooperative sedation with minimal respiratory depression, and it is used in ICU agitation and for sublingual use in agitation. Its main adverse effects are bradycardia and hypotension.

Option by option

  • A. Haloperidol

    Haloperidol is a D2 antagonist and does not act at alpha-2 receptors.

  • B. Dexmedetomidine (correct)

    Correct. This is the alpha-2 agonist sedative with minimal respiratory depression.

  • C. Propofol

    Propofol acts on GABA-A receptors and causes respiratory depression at sedative doses.

  • D. Midazolam

    Midazolam is a GABA-A agonist that can cause respiratory depression and delirium.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Dexmedetomidine. Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist that gives cooperative sedation with minimal respiratory depression, and it is used in ICU agitation and for sublingual use in agitation.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol is a D2 antagonist and does not act at alpha-2 receptors.

Why is "Propofol" not the answer?

Propofol acts on GABA-A receptors and causes respiratory depression at sedative doses.

Why is "Midazolam" not the answer?

Midazolam is a GABA-A agonist that can cause respiratory depression and delirium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: dexmedetomidine for agitation in Psychiatry. Its main adverse effects are bradycardia and hypotension.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Psychopharmacology: dexmedetomidine for agitation?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.